Tape dispenser



P 7, 1970 E. c. ADDIS 3,505,153

TAPE DISPENSER Filed Oct. 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EDWIN C. ADDISINVENTOR.

April 1970 E. c. A'DDIS 3,505,153

TAPE DISPENSER Filed Oct. 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 7 0| '3 FIG. 8l4 8 EDWIN C. ADDIS INVENTOR.

En AWN} United States Patent 3,505,153 TAPE DISPENSER Edwin C. Addis,Florence, Mass., assignor to Avery Products Corporation, San Marino,Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 589,167Int. Cl. B44c 7/00 US. Cl. 156577 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Adispenser for narrow width adhesive tape comprises a main body portionwith upstanding side walls along its perimeter and a removable coverplate. The side walls of the body portion are provided with a slotthrough which tape from the dispenser is discharged, and an adapterplate is constructed to fit over the slot and guide the tape beingdischarged along its edges. By virtue of different adapter plates thewidth of the slot can be varied to accommodate tapes of different width.

This invention relates to a dispenser for tape, particularly narrowwidth tape which may be provided at its underside with a pressuresensitive adhesive coating. More specifically, the instant inventionconcerns a tape dispenser for accepting and dispensing tapes ofdifferent widths, the dispenser including means for adapting it to acertain tape width subsequent to the dispenser having been loaded withtape of a particular width. Thus, the instant tape dispenser can bemanufactured and stored in larger quantities and be modified to fitcertain tapes immediately prior to sale or shipment.

While tape dispensers are known which accommodate a plurality of tapewidths and which are modified by an insert, such prior dispensers havebeen afiiicted with certain shortcomings. In one design, the insert mustbe provided before the tape is inserted in the dispenser. In severalother designs, the narrow and rather flimsy tape may inadvertentlybecome wedged in a small gap between the main dispenser receptacle andthe overlying cover plate. Although the existence of such a gap isstrictly undesired, it commonly exists because of ill fitting parts,because of a distortion of the large cover plate, or because oflocalized finger pressure when the dispenser is grasped and held by theuser, thus bending the cover plate and destroying accurate matingbetween the dispenser receptacle and the cover plate.

The construction of the dispenser disclosed hereinafter overcomes theseshortcomings by the use of an adapter plate which is independent of thenormal cover plate and which is secured firmly to the main receptacleportion of the dispenser. The adapter plate comes in several differentconfigurations in order to provide for the various tape widths.

One of the principal objects of this invention is, therefore, theprovision of a new and improved tape dispenser for narrow tapes,avoiding one or more of the shortcomings and disadvantages of prior artdevices.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a new andimproved dispenser adapted to dis pense tapes of various widths.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel tapedispenser which is adapted to dispense tapes of various widths and whichmay be modified to a certain tape width after the dispenser has beenmanufactured, and even after the dispenser has been loaded with arespective tape.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a tape dispenserfor comparatively narrow tape, wherein the tape can not become wedged ina small gap between Patented Apr. 7, 1970 the main dispenser housing anda removable overlying cover plate.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a dispenserfor comparatively narrow pressure sensitive adhesive tape, the dispenserbeing adapted to receive one of several adapter plates, such plate beingfitted upon the exposed side of the dispenser and modifying it for acertain wirth of tape.

These and still other objects of the present invention will become moreclearly apparent by reference to the following description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser completelyassembled, enclosing a roll of tape, and in position for dispensingpressure sensitive adhesive tape upon an underlying surface;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser with its coverremoved, thereby revealing the main receptacle portion, and the smalladapter plate is shown in exploded position;

'FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the cover plate;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the cover plate along the line 4-4 inFIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the main receptacle along the line 5-5in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the assembled tape dispenser along theline 6-6 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a partial bottom plan view of the dispenser portion alongthe line 7-7 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a view along the line 8-8 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a partial bottom plan view similar to FIGURE 7, but with anadapter plate and the main cover plate in place;

FIGURE 10 is a view along the line 10-10' in FIG- URE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view along the line 11-11 in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of three different adapter plates whichmay be used to adapt the dispenser to different tape widths;

FIGURE 13 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 with one of the adapter platesshown in FIGURE 12 assembled on the main receptacle of the dispenser;

FIGURE 14 is a view along the line 14-14 in FIG- URE 13, and

FIGURE 15 is a view along the line 15-15 in FIG- URE 13.

Referring now to the figures, numeral 10 generally identifies the mainreceptacle portion which is adapted to be covered by a cover plate 11and enclosing therein a roll of comparatively narrow, pressure sensitiveadhesive tape. Such tape is dispensed at the underside of the dispenserthrough a nose portion 12 which extends forwardly from the mainreceptacle 10. A piece of tape T is shown as being dispensed.

Typical tapes dispensed from this dispenser are drafting type tapeshaving a width from /2 inch to A inch and carrying various imprintsand/or being clear transparent or colored as is well known to thoseskilled in the art.

The main receptacle 10 and the cover plate 11 preferably are molded fromclear transparent synthetic thermoplastic material.

As seen clearly in FIGURE 2, the main receptacle 10 comprises a flatside plate 14 and an upstanding side wall 15 along the perimeterthereof. The height of the wall 15 is equal or slightly greater than thelargest width of the tape which is to be dispensed from the tapedispenser.

At the forward nose portion 12 of the dispenser, the nose portion beingan integral part of the receptacle 10, there is provided a rib 16 andtwo blind holes 17 and 18 An adapter plate 20, FIGURE 2, is adapted tofit as a cover upon the nose portion, the flat underside 21 of theadapter plate resting upon the top surface of the peripheral wall 15 andon the rib 16, while the upstanding studs 22 and 23 slip into the blindholes 17 and 18. The studs may be sealed in the holes by adhesivebonding or ultrasonic energy fusing. The inner edge 24 of the adapterplate 20 is dimensioned to overhang beyond the inner edge of the rib 16,FIGURES 2, 8 and 10, but not cover the entire slot 25 which is formed bya gap in the upstanding side wall 15 of the main receptacle at the noseportion. This gap 25 serves to feed the tape T out of the dispenser, andthe small open space between the inner edge 24 of the adapter plate andthe wall 26 may be used for threading the tape when the cover plate 11is disposed on the receptacle.

The receptacle is provided also with a centrally disposed dished portion30, FIGURE '2, at the perimeter of which there is located a plurality ofupstanding toothed hub portions 31. These hub portions are indexed tointerfit with the complementary hub portions 33 of the cover plate 11.FIGURE 3, which similarly extend from the perimeter of a dishedcentrally located portion 32. These toothed portions, when interfittedby placing the cover plate 11 on to the receptacle 10, provide a hub forthe roll of tape and prevent pinching the core of the tape roll duringmanipulation of the dispenser and tape.

The cover plate 11 is provided with a small partial rim 36 and twolarger extensions 37 and 38, the latter being adapted to slide into theleft bottom and upper right hand corners of the main receptacle, as seenin FIGURES 1 and 2. The cover plate is generally of elliptical shape anddoes not cover the triangular portion 40 disposed at the bottom portionof the receptacle and forming a part of the receptacles nose portion.Therefore, the upstanding side wall of this triangular portion isslightly higher, FIGURE 7, so that when the adapter plate 20 is securedon the receptacles nose portion and the cover plate 11 is in place, allthree portions lie substantially in the same plane. The adapter plate 20is provided with a curved edge portion 24a which abuts the cover plate11 as is seen in FIGURE 1. The receptacle 10, therefore, is covered whenenclosing tape by a removable cover plate 11 and a relatively smalladapter plate 20 substantially permanently fastened to the nose portionof the receptacle.

Referring to FIGURES 9 and 11, using an adapter plate 20 which has aflat underside 21, FIGURE '2, there is formed a conduit for the tape,the lateral edges of which are guided essentially by the flat insidesurface of the receptacle side plate 14 in the gap 25 and the spacedapart flat underside 21 of the adapter plate 20. The tape dispenser isadjusted, therefore, to dispense tape having the maximum widthacceptable, The tape is discharged at the distal end of the nose portionand the underside of this portion is usable to press the tape intointimate contact with the underlying surface to which the tape is beingaffixed.

In order to feed tape having a narrower width, further small adapterplates are provided which may be fitted upon the nose portion 12-. Thesealternative adapter plates are shown in FIGURES 12A, 12B and 12C. Theseplates are substantially identical with the one described above, exceptfor the provision of a respective tab 50A, 50B, or 50C extending fromthe underside of the adapter plate. The tabs are stepped in heightincrements, e.g. or inch, so as to conform to the different tape widths.When using one of these adapter plates, the conduit for the tape at thenose portion is made narrower and is limited by the opening between theinner surface of the side plate 14 in the gap 25 and the underside of arespective tab 50A, 50B or 50C, see FIGURES 13 to 15. A respective tabextends parallel along the bottom portion of the gap 25. The top andforward edges of the tab mate with a stepped recess in the nose portionof the dispenser as shown at 52. This step prevents the tape, when beingdispensed, from traveling into a gap underneath the adapter plate andbecoming wedged therein. The tape is confined, as noted, between theinner surface of the side plate 14 and the underside of the tab 50A, 508or 500, the height of the tab being proportioned for the width of thetape which is to be dispensed. It will be apparent that the quantity ofadapter plates differing with respect to tab height is dependent uponthe widths of the tapes which are to be dispensed.

As illustrated and described heretofore, the tape dispenser accommodatestapes of various widths and the modification necessary to adapt thedispenser for a certain width of tapecan be made at the very lastmoment, even at the time when the dispenser is loaded with tape andprovided with its cover plate. Also, because of the relatively smallsize of the adapter plate 20, it rests firmly and securely on the noseportion. Gaps into which the tape may slide during manipulation areeliminated and the tape is guided along its lateral edges and isenclosed in a conduit formed 'by the inner surface of the side plate 14,the underside of the adapter plate 20 or, alternatively, by theunderside of the extending tab 50A, 5013 or 50C reaching into the gap25, and the inner forward edge of the nose portion.

The opening of the triangular portion 40 is usable for a seat or atramrnel arm for laying the tape in a curved path as shown for instancein U.S. Patent No, 2,904,206 dated Sept. 15, 1959.

Finally, it has been found that the dispenser operates extremelysatisfactorily if a liner is placed in the space between the side plate14 and the roll of tape, and the cover plate 11 and the roll of tape.Most suitably such a liner comprises a single layer of paper having goodrelease properties, for instance silicone treated paper. The provisionof an insert prevents the adhesive oozing from the lateral edges of thetape adhering to the Walls of the tape dispenser. Alternatively, theinside walls of the dispenser may be coated with release type material.

While there has been described and illustrated a certain preferredembodiment of my invention, it will readily be apparent to those skilledin the art that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout deviating from the broad principle and intent of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for dispensing comparatively narrow tape which is unwoundfrom a roll, comprising in combination:

a main receptacle portion for containing a roll of tape;

a nose portion integral with said receptacle portion and extendingforward from said receptacle portion for discharging from said dispensertape unwound from such roll;

said receptacle and nose portions being constructed to have a commonflat main plate provided with an upstanding side wall along theperimeter thereof;

a slot formed by a gap in said upstanding side wall disposed in saidnose portion substantially at its distal end, said gap permitting tapeunwound from the roll in said receptacle portion to be dischargedthrough said nose portion to the exterior of said dispenser; and

an adapter plate secured to said upstanding side wall at said noseportion and overhanging at least a portion of said gap for forming aconduit for such tape, the open spacing between said main plate and saidoverhanging part of said adapter plate being dimensioned to approximatethe width of the tape fed from said dispenser, whereby to cause the tapewhile being fed through said conduit to be guided along its lateraledges.

2. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 and including a cover plate forcovering said main receptacle portion.

3. A dispenser as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cover plate and saidadapter plate are disposed substantially in the same plane.

4. A dispenser as set forth in claim 2, said receptacle portion and saidcover plate including complementary interfitting toothed hub portionsfor journalling thereabout a roll of tape.

5. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 and including a cover plate forcovering said main receptacle portion, said cover plate when disposed onsaid receptacle portion being coplanar with said adapter plate and inabutting contact therewith.

6. A dispenser for dispensing comparatively narrow tape which is unwoundfrom a roll, comprising in combination:

a main receptable portion for containing a roll of tape;

a nose portion integral with said receptacle portion and extendingforward from said receptacle portion for discharging tape unwound fromsaid roll;

said receptacle portion and nose portion being constructed to have acommon flat plate which is provided with an upstanding side wall alongthe perimeter thereof;

a slot formed by a gap in said upstanding side wall disposed in saidnose portion substantially at its distal end, said gap permitting tapeunwound from the roll in the receptacle portion to be discharged throughsaid nose portion to the exterior of said dispenser;

an adapter plate secured to said upstanding side wall at said noseportion and overhanging at least a portion of said gap;

a tab extending from said adapter plate substantially at right angle andprotruding into said gap for forming a conduit for such tape at saiddistal end, the

open spacing between said common flat plate and the underside of saidtab being dimensioned to approximate the width of the tape to be fedfrom said dispenser, whereby to cause the tape while being fed throughsaid conduit to be guided along its lateral edges. 7. A dispenser as setforth in claim 6 wherein said adapter plate and said tab are a unitaryassembly.

8. A dispenser for dispensing tape as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidtab has one edge which mates with a surface of said nose portiondisposed in said gap in a stepped recess in order to preclude theexistence of a gap into which the tape may slide.

9. A dispenser for dispensing tape as set forth in claim 6 and includingmeans for attaching thereto an instrument to lay the tape dispensed fromthe dispenser in a curved path upon an underlying surface.

10. A dispenser for dispensing tape as set forth in claim 6 andincluding material having good release properties interposed in thespace between the dispenser side walls and the roll of tape.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,400,435 5/1946 Nelson et a1.156527 2,904,206 9/1959 Bertschinger 156577 3,274,038 9/1966 Karn156-577 3,380,874 4/1968 Berman 156577 DOUGLAS J. DRUMMOND, PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 22554

